Joseph f



(No Model.)

J. P. GILPIIN.

MANUFACTURE OF INSULATED ELECTRIC GONDUGTORS, 7 No. 281,864. Patented July 24,1883.

" I l Jwmzaz N PETERS. Pholo-Lrlhugraphan Washington. 0. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH E. GILIIN, OE ANSONIA, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR To THE ANSONIA BRASS AND COPPER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MANUFACTURE OF INSULATED ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 281,864, dated July 24, 1883.

Application filed April 14, 1883. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosErH FREDERICK GILPIN, ofAnsonia, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in the Manufacture of Insulated Electric Conductors, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

Previous to my invention electric conductors had been covered with braided cords, then dipped in paraffine and passed through a revolving head with spring-scrapers to rub off the surplus paraffine. Conductors had also been covered with braided threads, and

paint applied between the layers of braided covering, and also upon the outside of the braiding. In conductors inwhich paint is applied to the covering, the paint is liable to exist in lumps and irregular projections upon the surface, and the cords or threads are sometimes unduly elevated from the wire by the paint beneath them. Besides this, the coils of wire are liable to adhere together when wound up, in consequence of too much paint remaining to allow the drying action to be uniform and rapid.

My present improvement is to insure greater uniformity in the size of the fire-proof insulated electric conductor, to fill up all interstices in the braided covering, to prevent the coils of wire adhering together when wound up, and to render the wire more smooth for handling when made use of.

paint is slightly or partially plastic, and eapable of being compressed, and the surface of the paint is harder than the paint which is inclosed between the braided threads. WVhile in this condition I subject the covered wire to a compressing and rubbing action, preferably from spring-fingers a a, upon a tubular head, I), that is revolved rapidly by a wheel, 0, and belt, while the conductor is drawn along grad- 5o ually through the revolving head. This op eration compresses the exterior threads into the paint that intervenes between the layers of braiding; it forces the partially-plasticpaint into any unfilled interstices, so that the covering is made more thoroughly fire and water proof; the painted covering is rendered uniform, or nearly so, in size, and the surplus paint is rubbed off, so as to leave the surface smooth; but at the same time the fibrous 6O braiding is still left with aperfect covering of paint, to exclude the direct action of heat upon the fibrous material.

I am aware that in the Patent No. 272,660 rollers are shown to press and consolidate the braid as it passes up out of the paint. In this Condition the paint possesses very little adhesive power, and the braid is liable to expand. By my improvement the paint-is allowed to partially dry, so that when the pressure is ap- 7O plied to the covering the paint and braiding will be firmly consolidated, and remain in a firm, compact, and smooth condition.

I am also aware that braided wire has been immersed in melted paraffine and the surplus material pressed off and the braiding polished by a revolving head having spring-fingers, as in Patent No. 176,978.

I claim as my invention- 1 The method herein specified of manufactur- 8O ing insulated electric conductors, consisting in applying two or more layers of braided covering, with paint between the layers, allowing the paint to partially dry, amt then applying, pressure to the surface to consolidate the paint and the braiding, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 10th day of April, A. D. 1883.

J OS. F. GILPIN.

Witnesses:

G. I. OOWLEs, OHAELEs A. CowLEs. 

